The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-08-19
Potatoes in Dry Seasons.

The potato crop is reported to be in
poor condition in most of the western
states, as the dry and hot weather has
been unfavorable to it. The potato
delights in a cool and moderately moist
soil. Heavy dews and frequent rains
during the period in which the tubers
are forming generally insure n large
YIELD OF fine potatoes. Careful observers
have noticed this season that potato
fields where cut seed was planted are
looking very poorly. In many cases
no sprouts appeared above the surface
OF the ground, and in others the vines
dried up and before any tubers were
formed. Cut seed parts with its mofs-
ture very readily. Ii is absorbed by the
dry soil and manure with which it is
surrounded, and is carried off by the
hot and dry atmosphere that circilates
through the ground. The escape OF
moisture is through the surface that is
not protected BY the natural covering.
Ii the skin is entire the potato may be
exposed to the Influence of a dry and
hot atmosphere and still retain most of
its moisture for a considerable time.
Potatoes that have strong and perfect
skins do not become dry if subjected to
a heat that will thoroughly bake them.
When cooked and placed on the table
they still contain $ large amount of
moisture in the form OF steam. This
escapes when the skin is broken on the
plate, and it NAV be condensed so as to
form water by inverting a glass dish
over the potato. If potatoes were cut
in small pieces before they were placed
in the oven, as they frequently are be-
fore they are planted, nearly all the
moisture would escape from them dur
ing the process of baking. Cooks I'M
derstand that cut potatoes must be
cooked in fat or water to prevent them
from becoming dry.
Potatoes cut IN pieces that contain
but II single eye, may be relied on TO
produce vigorous sprouts in q moist
season, especially if they are planted
in rich soil. If the air and soil are dry,
however, they may fail to produce any
sprouts that will break through the
surface of the ground when they are
planted. Sprouts are formed from the
moisture and soluble substances ia the
potato, and are supported by them
until roots and leaves are produced.
If this mo sture is absorbed by the
dry soil or passes into the air, there is
nothing to form or support the sprouts.
Whole potatoes are better than pieces
for planting in q dry season. AS before
shown. their SIX nj will prevent their
moisture from escaping into the soil
and air, and will preserve it for form
ing and supporting stalks and roots.
Vigorous potabo-vines, which in a dry
season will only be produced from un-
cut seed, win cover the ground and as
sist in keeping it moist and cool.
These conditions of the soil will be
favorable to the growth OF vines and
tubers. Small and feeble vines, such
as will be produced from small
pieces, will leave the potato-hills
exposed to the action Of the sur.
Potatoes that have been sprouted in
the cellar are not suitable for planting
in a dry season. Much of their strength
is exhausted before they are put in the
ground. The sprouts already formed
will dry up and fall off, and the
changes are that not enough moisture
will be left to produce and nourish new
ones. Potatoes that mature late are
better for planting, especially in q dry
season, like the present one, than those
that matureEeSs They are not like
w to sprng6 in the cellar. and they re-
tain ali their suhstance to form vigor-
GUS vines. During the past few years
farmers in the south hays raised q sec
ond crop Of the early varieties OF pota-
toes for the purpose Of produc Ag seed
to plant the follow ng splSEg, The sea-
sons there are long enoaga to adm { of
raising a crop of potatoes if they are
planted in August. If the tubcrs are
not sufficiently ripe to use on the table
they furnish excellent seed. and there
IS now quite a demand for the second
crop of southern potatoes for planting
north OF the Ohio river.
Weeds and grass should not be allow
ed to grow on ows of potatoes as they
take up moisture needed BY the potato
plants, while they render digging diff
cult and expensive. A mulch Of green
| grass or other cheap material is very
beneficial 10 potatoes during dry and hot
weather. It helps keep the ground cool
and moist. It may be impractical to
apply such a mulch to a large field, but
a patch intended to produce potatoes
for a family NAV be covered win a
mulch without difficulty. That gypsum
or land plaster dropped in the hill with
the seed, or placed among the sprouts
when they are first breaking ground,
assists potatoes IN resisting the effects
Of a protracted drought has been motto
ed in Europe and in this country.
Considering its great value il seems
strange that 1T is not more generally
used by potato-raisers IN parts Of the
country where the are gem
eraliy dry ard het@lAscase ggsaes